U.S. patent application number 11/240994 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-05 for shipping container security unit quick mount device.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Boeing Company. Invention is credited to Randy L. Jaeger, Peter S. Lauenstein, Dean M. Razee.
Application Number | 20070075074 11/240994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37900903 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070075074 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jaeger; Randy L. ; et
al. |
April 5, 2007 |
Shipping container security unit quick mount device
Abstract
Mounting devices for attaching electronics equipment to a cargo
container. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a
mounting plate comprising a first portion for securing the
electronics equipment to the mounting device, a second portion,
coupled to the first portion at an edge of the first portion, at an
approximate right angle to the first portion, and a third portion,
coupled to the second portion at a second edge, wherein the third
portion is approximately parallel to the first portion, wherein a
length of the second portion being substantially similar to a width
of a door of the cargo container, and the third portion is of
sufficient length to retain the mounting device on the cargo
container when the door of the cargo container is closed.
Inventors: |
Jaeger; Randy L.;
(Windermere, FL) ; Razee; Dean M.; (Winchester,
CA) ; Lauenstein; Peter S.; (La Canada, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GATES & COOPER LLP;HOWARD HUGHES CENTER
6701 CENTER DRIVE WEST, SUITE 1050
LOS ANGELES
CA
90045
US
|
Assignee: |
The Boeing Company
|
Family ID: |
37900903 |
Appl. No.: |
11/240994 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/1.5 ;
361/600 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2203/10 20130101;
B65D 90/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/001.5 ;
361/600 |
International
Class: |
B65D 88/00 20060101
B65D088/00 |
Claims
1. A mounting device for attaching electronics equipment to a cargo
container, comprising: a mounting plate comprising a first portion
for securing the electronics equipment to the mounting device; a
second portion, coupled to the first portion at an edge of the
first portion, at an approximate right angle to the first portion;
and a third portion, coupled to the second portion at a second
edge, wherein the third portion is approximately parallel to the
first portion, wherein a length of the second portion being
substantially similar to a thickness of a door of the cargo
container, and the third portion is of sufficient length to retain
the mounting device on the cargo container when the door of the
cargo container is closed.
2. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein the mounting device is
mounted to the door of the cargo container.
3. The mounting device of claim 2, wherein the second portion
further comprises a cutout for accepting a latch from the door
through the cutout, to prevent removal of the mounting bracket from
the cargo container.
4. The mounting device of claim 3, further comprising at least one
dog ear attached to the third portion.
5. The mounting device of claim 4, further comprising a plurality
of captive attachment devices, coupled to the first portion, for
attaching the electronics equipment to the mounting device.
6. The mounting device of claim 5, wherein the captive attachment
devices are placed in a plurality of configurations such that
various types of electronics equipment are compatible with the
mounting device.
7. The mounting device of claim 6, wherein the electronics
equipment is a security unit.
8. The mounting device of claim 7, wherein the electronics
equipment is a tracking unit.
9. The mounting device of claim 8, further comprising a wire guide,
coupled to the second portion, for protecting a wire running from
the electronics equipment to an outside of the cargo container.
10. A mounting device for mounting an electronic device inside of a
shipping container, comprising: A bracket, comprising a top having
a first edge and a second edge, the top having at least one
mounting point and at least one attachment point, wherein the at
least one mounting device is used to mount the bracket to the
shipping container and the at least one attachment point is used to
attach the bracket to an electronics package; a first side, coupled
to a top along the first edge, the first side having at least a
first access point to access the electronics package; and a second
side, coupled to the top along the second edge, wherein the bracket
accepts electronics packages of different types.
11. The mounting device of claim 10, wherein the mounting device is
mounted to an interior portion of the cargo container.
12. The mounting device of claim 11, wherein the second side
further comprises at least a second access point to access the
electronics package.
13. The mounting device of claim 12, wherein the first access point
accepts a cable for attachment to the electronics package.
14. The mounting device of claim 13, further comprising at least
one captive attachment device, coupled to the top at the at least
one mounting point in a respective fashion, for attaching the
bracket to the cargo container.
15. The mounting device of claim 14, wherein the at least one
captive attachment device is placed in a plurality of
configurations.
16. The mounting device of claim 15, wherein the at least one
attachment point is placed in a plurality of configurations.
17. The mounting device of claim 16, wherein the electronics
equipment is a security unit.
18. The mounting device of claim 16, wherein the electronics
equipment is a tracking unit.
19. A method of mounting electronics to a cargo container using the
mounting device of claim 1.
20. A method of mounting electronics to a cargo container using the
mounting device of claim 10.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/______, entitled, "SHIPPING CONTAINER AIR VENT COVER ANTENNA
HOUSING," by Randy L. Jaeger et al and filed same date herewith,
the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to shipping
containers, and in particular, to a shipping container security
unit quick mount device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Shipping containers are used to transport goods all over the
world. Many shipping containers are monitored to maintain a log of
their whereabouts, as well as to monitor their estimated time of
delivery to a given port or destination. There are over five
million shipping containers in use today, and they typically
transport over 500 billion dollars worth of goods into the United
States on an annual basis.
[0006] In recent years, monitoring the flow of goods in these
shipping containers has become more important. Since many goods are
of higher value, the goods are under a larger threat of pilferage.
Further, shipping containers could easily be tampered with to
contain high explosives, or be used as a terrorist entry point into
harbors and/or ports in the United States. The use of shipping
containers for such purposes has been studied extensively by the
Department of Homeland Security.
[0007] The current method of attaching tracking and/or monitoring
devices is through the use of tape or other adhesives. The tape or
adhesive material is used to affix the electronics boxes to the
walls or ceiling of the container. The current method is very time
consuming. Further, since this is typically done before the
container is loaded and removed after the container is unloaded,
additional loading time and unloading time is required for each
container. Currently, using the tape and adhesive method, this
attachment process for the electronic devices takes over an hour
per container, to ensure that the electronics and associated wires
that attach to an externally mounted antenna are not compromised by
the container or the cargo within the shipping container.
[0008] The current method must also take into account that the
cargo to be shipped in a given shipping container must not
interfere with, damage, or otherwise contact the electronic
devices. As such, the electronics devices and associated wires must
be adhered to the container with excess tape and/or adhesive to
ensure that any slight jarring of the container or of the
electronic devices does not remove the electronic devices from
their adhered positions.
[0009] As such, it can be seen that there is a need in the art for
a device that makes installation of electronics devices on shipping
containers less time consuming. It can also be seen that there is a
need in the art for a device that makes installation of electronic
devices on shipping containers easier and more efficient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to
minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading
and understanding the present specification, the present invention
discloses a mounting device for attaching electronics equipment to
a cargo container. A device in accordance with the present
invention comprises a mounting plate comprising a first portion for
securing the electronics equipment to the mounting device, a second
portion, coupled to the first portion at an edge of the first
portion, at an approximate right angle to the first portion, and a
third portion, coupled to the second portion at a second edge,
wherein the third portion is approximately parallel to the first
portion, wherein a length of the second portion being substantially
similar to a width of a door of the cargo container, and the third
portion is of sufficient length to retain the mounting device on
the cargo container when the door of the cargo container is
closed.
[0011] Such an embodiment optionally includes being mounted to the
door of the cargo container, the second portion further comprising
a cutout for accepting a latch from the door through the cutout, to
prevent removal of the mounting bracket from the cargo container,
at least one dog ear, attached to the third portion, for assisting
in coupling the mounting device to the cargo container, a plurality
of captive attachment devices, coupled to the first portion, for
attaching the electronics equipment to the mounting device, the
captive attachment devices being placed in a plurality of
configurations such that various types of electronics equipment are
compatible with the mounting device, the electronics equipment
being a security unit, the electronics equipment being a tracking
unit, and can further comprise comprising a wire guide for
protecting a wire running from the electronics equipment to an
outside of the cargo container.
[0012] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a
bracket, comprising a top having a first edge and a second edge,
the top having at least one mounting point and at least one
attachment point, wherein the at least one mounting device is used
to mount the bracket to the shipping container and the at least one
attachment point is used to attach the bracket to an electronics
package, a first side, coupled to a top along the first edge, the
first side having at least a first access point to access the
electronics package, and a second side, coupled to the top along
the second edge, wherein the bracket accepts electronics packages
of different types.
[0013] Such an embodiment optionally includes the mounting device
being mounted to an interior portion of the cargo container, the
second side further comprising at least a second access point to
access the electronics package, the first access point accepting a
cable for attachment to the electronics package, at least one
captive attachment device, coupled to the top at the at least one
mounting point in a respective fashion, for attaching the bracket
to the cargo container, the at least one captive attachment device
being placed in a plurality of configurations, the at least one
attachment point being placed in a plurality of configurations, the
electronics equipment being a security unit, and the electronics
equipment being a tracking unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference
numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0017] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an electronics package mounted in
the brackets of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] In the following description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which is shown,
by way of illustration, several embodiments of the present
invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized
and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
Door Hanger
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates side and perspective views of a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020]
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates hanger 100 with first portion 102, second
portion 104, and third portion 106. Typically, first portion 102,
second portion 104, and third portion 106 are made from a single
piece of material that is shaped as shown in FIG. 1, but can be
made from several pieces of material without departing from the
scope of the present invention. For example, first portion 102 may
be made of a plastic or other non-conductive material if desired,
to allow anything mounted on first portion 102 from being
electrically connected to the cargo container hanger 100 is
attached to.
[0022] First portion 102 is typically the mounting surface for
electronics equipment or container tracking device. On first
portion 102, typically on the side opposite where mounting of the
electronics equipment takes place, captive mounting hardware 108 is
held in place. Captive mounting hardware 108 is placed in locations
on first portion 102 to ensure that standard electronics equipment
mounting holes are easily engaged with hanger 100. As shown in the
perspective view, patterns 110, 112, and 114 are created by
strategically locating captive mounting hardware 108, which allows
for quick mounting and dismounting of electronics equipment from
hanger 100.
[0023] Further, generic mounting holes 116 can also be located on
first portion 102. Mounting holes 116 can be threaded or
non-threaded holes, which will either accept standard screw threads
or allow for a screw to be threaded through the mounting hole 116
and engage threads on the electronics equipment to secure the
electronics equipment to hanger 100. Although shown on the
periphery of first portion 102, the generic mounting holes 116 can
be placed anywhere on first portion 102 without departing from the
scope of the present invention.
[0024] The size of first portion 102 is large enough to mount
typical electronics equipment. Typically, this is approximately 10
inches across and 10 inches high, but can be other sizes if
desired.
[0025] Second portion 104 is attached to first portion 102 at point
118. The angle of attachment between second portion 104 and first
portion 102 is substantially a right angle. The length of second
portion 104 is substantially equal to the width of a door on a
cargo container.
[0026] Third portion 106 acts as a barrier to movement of the
hanger 100 from the cargo container. As hanger 100 is placed on the
cargo container, rather than bolting or hard-mounting hanger 100 on
the cargo container, a cutout area 120 is placed over the bolt
mechanism, also called the door mechanism, of the cargo container
to hold the hanger 100 in place. As the cargo container door is
closed, the first portion 102 is on the inside of the cargo
container, the second portion 104 sits along the top of the door of
the cargo container, and the third portion 106 sits on the outside
of the cargo container, such that when the door of the cargo
container is closed, and the door mechanism is engaged in a locked
condition, the door mechanism prevents the hanger from moving
side-to-side or up and down. Third portion 106 also can act as a
mounting surface for external devices, e.g., antennas, if desired.
The door mechanism maintains the relative position of the hanger
100 until it is desired to remove the hanger 100.
[0027] Wire guides 122 are typically attached to second portion 104
to properly guide any wires, such as antenna wires or the like,
from the inside of the cargo container to the outside of the cargo
container, e.g., to an antenna mounted outside of the cargo
container or on third surface 106, without being damaged or severed
by the doors of the cargo container. Hanging guides 123, also
referred to as "dog ears," act as a stabilizing device to allow
mounting and configuring of device 100 while the cargo container
door is open. In essence, hanging guide 123 acts as a secondary
hook to assist in hanging device 100 on the door of the cargo
container prior to closing the door.
[0028] Although two wire guides 122 and hanging devices 123 are
shown, any number of wire guides 122 and hanging devices 123 can be
attached without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
Interior Hanger
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] Bracket 200 is shown with top view 202, side views 204 and
206, and front view 208. Top view shows a preferred arrangement of
mounting positions 210, and mounting holes 212. Mounting positions
210 typically contain captive mounting hardware, such as a floating
nutplate, but can be through-holes, other captive mounting
hardware, or located at other positions without departing from the
scope of the present invention. Similarly, mounting holes 212 are
typically through holes which can receive screws to attach bracket
200 to an electronics package, but can also be captive hardware,
and can also be located at different positions than shown, without
departing from the scope of the present invention. As with bracket
100, the mounting positions 210 and mounting holes 212 can be
placed in various patterns or positions such that bracket 200 can
be mounted to various types of cargo containers and receive various
types of electronics equipment.
[0031] Side view 204 shows cutout 214, and side view 206 shows
cutout 216. Cutouts 214 and 216 can be used to assist a person in
mounting an electronics package to the bracket 200, as well as for
additional mounting options for bracket 200. Further, cutouts 214
and 216 can provide an access port for cables, antenna leads, or
other access to an electronics package mounted in bracket 200.
Additionally, cutouts 214 and 216 can be of different sizes than
those shown in FIG. 2 without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Additional captive hardware and/or through-holes
can be placed on the bracket 200 on the sides or the top without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0032] Typically, bracket 200 is a single piece of material, which
is typically aluminum, that is bent into a "u" shape. However,
bracket 200 can be made from several pieces of material and welded
or otherwise attached together at any location without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
[0033] Several different electronics packages can be mounted in the
bracket 200 by using different combinations of the mounting holes
212 and/or cutouts 214 to access and mount the electronics
package.
[0034] Bracket 200 is designed for use on electronics packages that
are to be mounted inside of a cargo container. Bracket 200 can be
mounted to the roof or to the walls of the container, such that any
electronic packages mounted to bracket 200 do not interfere with
the loading or unloading of cargo from the container. Further,
bracket 200 can be mounted in a position such that any antenna
wires, power wires, or other interfaces to an electronics package
mounted in bracket 200 also avoid interference with any cargo
movement within the cargo container.
[0035] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an electronics package mounted in
the brackets of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows bracket 200, with electronics package 218
mounted via mounting holes 212. Electronics package 218 can be a
security device, tracking device, or other electronics package as
desired. Electronics package 218 can optionally use cutout 216 to
route cable 220. Cable 220 can be a cable, wire, or other access to
electronics package, such as an antenna lead or power cable, which
may best be routed through cutout 216 rather than some other access
point, for ease of access or to protect cable 220.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows bracket 100, with electronics package 218
mounted. As with FIG. 3, electronics package 218 can be a security
device, tracking device, or other electronics package as desired.
Cable 220 is shown protected from damage by door 400 by being
routed via wire guide 122, which can be performed as desired by the
user. Wire guide 122 acts as a spacer to prevent door 400 from
pinching or otherwise damaging cable 220 during door 400 opening
and closing, as well as during container movement which could move
door 400.
[0038] Although bracket 100 and bracket 200 are shown as a separate
piece from electronics 218, it is within the scope of the present
invention to make electronics 218 such that bracket 100 or bracket
200 is integral to electronics 218, such that a separate mounting
of electronics 218 to bracket 200 or bracket 100 is not necessary,
and thus electronics 218 would be able to hang on door 400 or be
mounted to the cargo container directly.
Conclusion
[0039] This concludes the description of the preferred embodiment
of the invention. In summary, embodiments of the invention provide
mounting devices for attaching electronics equipment to a cargo
container. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a
mounting plate comprising a first portion for securing the
electronics equipment to the mounting device, a second portion,
coupled to the first portion at an edge of the first portion, at an
approximate right angle to the first portion, and a third portion,
coupled to the second portion at a second edge, wherein the third
portion is approximately parallel to the first portion, wherein a
length of the second portion being substantially similar to a width
of a door of the cargo container, and the third portion is of
sufficient length to retain the mounting device on the cargo
container when the door of the cargo container is closed.
[0040] Such an embodiment optionally includes being mounted to the
door of the cargo container, the second portion further comprising
a cutout for accepting a latch from the door through the cutout, to
prevent removal of the mounting bracket from the cargo container,
at least one dog ear, attached to the third portion, for assisting
in coupling the mounting device to the cargo container, a plurality
of captive attachment devices, coupled to the first portion, for
attaching the electronics equipment to the mounting device, the
captive attachment devices being placed in a plurality of
configurations such that various types of electronics equipment are
compatible with the mounting device, the electronics equipment
being a security unit, the electronics equipment being a tracking
unit, and can further comprise comprising a wire guide for
protecting a wire running from the electronics equipment to an
outside of the cargo container.
[0041] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a
bracket, comprising a top having a first edge and a second edge,
the top having at least one mounting point and at least one
attachment point, wherein the at least one mounting device is used
to mount the bracket to the shipping container and the at least one
attachment point is used to attach the bracket to an electronics
package, a first side, coupled to a top along the first edge, the
first side having at least a first access point to access the
electronics package, and a second side, coupled to the top along
the second edge, wherein the bracket accepts electronics packages
of different types.
[0042] Such an embodiment optionally includes the mounting device
being mounted to an interior portion of the cargo container, the
second side further comprising at least a second access point to
access the electronics package, the first access point accepting a
cable for attachment to the electronics package, at least one
captive attachment device, coupled to the top at the at least one
mounting point in a respective fashion, for attaching the bracket
to the cargo container, the at least one captive attachment device
being placed in a plurality of configurations, the at least one
attachment point being placed in a plurality of configurations, the
electronics equipment being a security unit, and the electronics
equipment being a tracking unit.
[0043] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is
intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this
detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto and
the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *